Sounds about right to me too. Literature selections from AO I use as free time reading (yes, on top of history/LA). We chose an instrument as priority over foreign language here, but for music if you wanted to you could occasionally add in something like the classical Kids - http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Mr-Bach-Comes-Call-Teachers-NotesCD-Bundle-Susan-Hammond/9781894502764 my kids love listening to the cd's.

We're starting in 2012 with Suzuki - I'll be using this book and the suzuki piano books http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Studying-Suzuki-Piano-Carole-Bigler/9780874875867

I'm (sort of) on atkins, and still breastfeeding my 10 month old a few times a day (not overnight though). I didn't do the induction strictly, as I was worried about milk production. I've been on it for about 6 weeks now (OWL phase mostly - but I'm not too strict) and have found no problem with breastfeeding. I would ration the bread, and try to eat it more in the morning rather than evening. Goodluck!

yes, I often get DD to give me a little summary. Usually I don't have to ask! "guess what just happened mum..." :D However, if she's interested and enjoying it, I wouldn't worry.

I like LLATL too. But I am a sucker for supplementing...

I don't have experience with old atkins, but I've been on the new one for about 5 weeks and have never felt better, lost about 10lbs and a dress size so far too. I haven't been following it too strictly though, but it certainly taught me a new way to eat. I'm still on it, and happily, I don't feel deprived or hungry - expect for those longings for chocolate/cake/biscuits which are more habitual now than physical cravings, but I still have some on the weekends. My DH is on it with me and has lost a similar amount. I have mild PCOS, so insulin resistance leading to diabetes was always a worry for me, carbs and sugar are like poison to my body, giving them up (mostly) I feel so much better! The first two weeks (induction, going off sugar) were hard, I won't lie. I felt physically sick, this cemented for me that I needed to persevere - I was obviously far too addicted to sugar! Now it really is easy and enjoyable, I've never enjoyed my food so much. I have about 3-4 more kilo's to go to get to my goal, (6-8lbs) which I hope to banish in the next 6 weeks. :)

It's my niece's name, so I have a soft spot for Georgia. :) Emma is a bit boring for my taste, I'd prefer something like Emmeline...

My children adore the Mr. Bach CD. I was planning to buy with the book, but then I found that I could download it from iTunes instead...

I answered based on what my nearly 4 y/o DS can do now, and what I remember of my nearly 6y/o DD. The only one's I didn't mark were, write All ABC's, and copy from board (because I've never though to try...) He can use scissors but not very efficiently, not in a straight line! He can write his 7 letter name fairly legibly...

Haha Training5 - thankyou! I'll have a look sltress thanks.

I started very lightly with Miquon with DD when she was 4. She was begging to do 'school', and we enjoyed it. Now she's doing Singapore 2A, but I still use some Miquon to supplement. I love the cuisenaire rods, awesome things! Now my 3.5y/o loves to play around with them, and DD still uses them. I'm also using MEP Reception which I find a great, gentle, intro to math (and free!).

Bump! :)

Ok, my DD is nearly 6, fully homeschooled. She's working at a range of 'grade' levels. ETA: we're in australia where the school year is Feb-Dec, if she were at school 2011 would have been her FYOS. Atm we're doing LLATL Red, about halfway through. She loves it, I love it too, and she is learning & retaining. I know it's considered 'light', but I'm happy to keep it while we're both enthusiastic. I am happy and plan to follow the LLATL series through. It covers Grammar, Phonics, Spelling, Writing, Reading... etc. I feel it covers most things pretty well. Though I supplement with our own copywork/memorisation of Scripture, and add SpellingCity with the spelling words from a lesson. I think I will always supplement with my own copywork. And of course DD reads many other books (longer and more difficult) apart from those in this curriculum. So, WDYT? Is this enough for LA? I also have FLL1 (seems too easy for her, we'd skip to near the end...), should I look into FLL2? I also have WWE1 which is pretty good and we do a lesson every now and then. We have also done a few lessons from Scott Foresman grammar/writing (grade 2), which she was more than capable of and we both liked it well enough. I have also been looking at and drooling over Classical Writing's stuff. I would love to incorporate it when DD is ready. What age would you start? Would it be possible to combine with LLATL? Is it overkill, or must I choose only 1? Am I missing something with LA? Your thoughts would be much appreciated!

I graduated in 2001. After looking at these lists, my lit education was pitiful! I was in an australian public school, I guess they went for lowest common denominator books... I took a course in literature (not the normal 'required' english LA) which is where I read most of this in years 11/12: Tess of the D'urbervilles Some shakespeare (medea) some plays (streetcar named desire) some poetry (mostly sylvia plath and emily dickinson) yep, that's about it. I read a few others on my own at home, nothing to do with curriculum. Pretty standard too, my university literature lecturer was livid that no-one in the class knew anything about the odyssey, illiad, inferno, paradise lost etc... grumblings like 'what are they teaching now-a-days' were often heard!

we started DD on violin with part-suzuki method at 4.5y/o. She has loved it, did her first concert just after her 5th b'day and that same afternoon asked when the next one would be... With a good teacher, it's great.

This is mine, when I feel crappy and we have a lazy morning (until noon :tongue_smilie:) they are much much more frustrated. When I actually get going with our structured morning they are much happier. I realised that if I wanted to homeschool to allow them to go at their own pace (amongst other reasons), then doesn't that mean faster as well as slower? I am in the 'stretch them a little, age appropriately' camp. :)

with my 3.5 y/o I'm going through the whole program I bought (not OPGTR) from the beginning because even though he's able to read CVC words & easy bob books, I think he needs the consolidation and confidence from going over it and a little more maturity before moving on. We'll just speed through I think.

There really are so many variables, if the measurment is within a few cm's of the expected and your MW isn't worried I wouldn't worry either. Anecdotally: my DS1 was measuring 4+ weeks ahead most of the pregnancy, midwife even asked if I was sure it wasn't twins! He was born 8lb10oz. DS2 measured much smaller than DS1 the whole way, and was born nearly a whole pound bigger - he just sat 'compact' in utero.

I know it's not popular around here, but we love LLATL. I'm also loving BFSU.

Thanks for those links, awesome! And FTR - we use miquon and MEP with my DS1, who is 3.5. I think some of the orange book is do-able for this age, I'm thinking especially the A section dealing with mostly counting. I also have a copy of this http://www.etacuisenaire.com/catalog/product?deptId=&prodId=030030 which is fun. :)

Sure, I'll try! The book is written more to the teacher, than a parent, it's pretty comprehensive. I'm not a teacher, in fact - I bought the book because I'm going back to studying Piano myself (after only learning a little as a teen) and hope to teach my kids a little at home. DD does violin lessons with a Suzuki qualified teacher (though not purely suzuki method), so I get a peek at how it's done practically. This particular book, I think, does explain the methadology quite well. It is specific, ie. dot points on what to include in a lesson, quite a detailed chapter called 'the first lessons' including photo's of good posture/position. This is my plan. :) Suzuki method recommends starting young as optimal (even from birth by being surrounded by a positive music environment), and is taught with the idea that picking up music by being surrounded by it, like one picks up a language, is what helps lead to success. The method encourages lots of listening to the song so it's in your head correctly while you're learning to play it. So it is especially good for starting children young, because you don't need to be able to read to begin, but you can start anytime - like I'm starting nearly from scratch again now, in my late 20's! I've got the book here if you have any specific questions. eta: I just checked out the book on amazon to see the reviews http://www.amazon.com/Studying-Suzuki-Piano-Handbook-Reference/dp/0874875862 all 5 star btw. ;)

Reading this at the moment. Who would have thought a book about trains would be enthralling?!

yep, I think so. I've encountered that comment too, and it seems to be a competitive/insecurity thing. "we homeschool" "oh yes, I taught my DC to read before they went to school" um, ok... :001_huh:

I have this one: Studying Suzuki Piano and like it. It is very comprehensive, including a big intro into the philosophy, preparing to teach, technique, structuring lessons, and notes on teaching every song in the suzuki piano books 1-7. :)

It was DH's idea, he had to convince me at first. He comes home from work shaking his head at stories other dad's allow their kids to put up with from schools, I often hear 'thank God we're homeschooling, xyz just told me that at his DC's school...' In fact, he told me the other day that I need to talk more about homeschooling to other people, because 'they need to be aware of what kids can do' This is combined with a perfect mix of 'I trust you to choose the curriculum and do what's best for the kids' :001_wub: